Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 



319' 



Adult female: Head and 

 neck, brownish, showing a 

 slight crest, but not nearly as 

 large as in the male; under 

 parts, white. 



Length, 18.50; wing, 7.7s;. 

 tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 



The young bird resembles- 

 the female, but has no crest. 

 Length, 18.50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50. 

 The Hooded Merganser is an abundant migrant and a not un- 

 common summer resident in both Illinois and Wisconsin. It fre- 

 quents the ponds and streams during the breeding season and 

 builds its nest in a hollow tree near water. The eggs are 7 to 10, 

 buff white, and measure about 2.05 x 1.75 inches. Its food consists; 

 of roots, seeds, small fish, and occasionally insects. The young are 

 taken from the nest in the bill of the mother. Nidification begins in 

 May. 



"Very abundant migrant; common winter resident upon Lake 

 Michigan; breeds sparingly throughout the state." (Nelson, Birds. 

 N. E. 111., 1876, p. 44.) "Very common. * * * * Breeds sparingly 

 in suitable localities." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds Wisconsin,, 

 1903, p. 17.) 



Subfamily ANATlNiE. River and Pond Ducks. 



These ducks, while often found in numbers on salt water, seem to- 

 prefer (with few exceptions) the lakes, rivers, and ponds. The food 

 consists of mollusks, small crustaceans, fish, and insects, as well as the 

 roots of aquatic plants and seeds. The members of this subfamily 

 have the bill broad (not narrow as in the Mergansers ) , and no flap- 

 or web on the hind toe. 



